Standard Grade Physics: Health Physics- Checklist
Standard Grade Physics: Health Physics- Checklist
The statements below show everything that you should know by the end of this unit.
The circles at the end of each statement will allow you to show your teacher that you understand what it means.
If you know for sure what the statement means colour the circle green. You will not need to revise this much for your test.
If you think that you know what the statement means colour the circle orange. You’ll need to work at understanding this for your test. Try reading your notes or you might have to ask your teacher.
If you don’t understand what the statement means colour the circle red. You will need to ask for more help from your teacher to help you understand this.
Section 1: The Use of Thermometers
At General Level
By the end of this section you should be able to:GO R
1.State that a thermometer requires some measurable physical quantity that changes with temperature;
2.Describe the operation of a liquid in glass thermometer; 3. Describe the main differences between a clinical and ordinary thermometer; 4. Describe how body temperature is measured using a clinical thermometer;
5.Explain the significance of body temperature in diagnosis of illness;
Section 2: Using Sound
At General Level
By the end of this section you should be able to:GOR
1.State that a solid, a liquid or a gas is required for the transmission of sound;
2.Explain the basic principles of a stethoscope as a 'hearing aid';
3.Give one example of the use of ultrasound in medicine, e.g., images of an unborn baby.
4.State that high frequency vibrations beyond the range of human hearing arecalled ultrasounds.
5.Give two examples of noise pollution;
6.Give examples of sound levels in the range 0 dB - 120 dB;
7.State that excessive noise can damage hearing;
At Credit Level
By the end of this section you should be able to:
8.Explain one use of ultrasound in medicine;
Section 3: Light and Sight
At General Level
By the end of this section you should be able to:GOR
1.Describe the focusing of light on the retina of the eye;
2.State what is meant by refraction of light;
3.Draw diagrams to show the change of direction as light passes from air to glass
and glass to air;
4.Describe the lens shapes of convex and concave;
5.Describe the effect of various lens shapes on the rays of light;
6.State that the image formed on the retina of the eye is upside down and
laterally inverted;
7.Explain using a ray diagram how an inverted image can be formed on the retina;
8.Describe a simple experiment to find the focal length of a spherical convex lens;
9. State the meaning of long and short sight;
10.State that long and short sight can be corrected using lenses;
11.State that fibre optics can be used as a transmission system for 'cold light';
At Credit Level
By the end of this section you should be able to:
12.Use correctly in context the terms angle of incidence, angle of refraction
and normal;
13.Explain using a ray diagram how the lens of the eye forms, on the retina,
the image of an object
(a)some distance from the eye;
(b)close to the eye;
14.Carry out calculations on power/focal length to find either one given the other;
15.Explain the use of lenses to correct long and short sight;
16.Explain the use of fibre optics in the endoscope (fibroscope).
Section 4: Using the Spectrum
At General LevelGOR
By the end of this section you should be able to:
1.Describe how the laser is used in one application of medicine;
2.Describe one use of X-rays in medicine;
3.State that photographic film can be used to detect X-rays;
4.Describe the use of ultra violet and infra red in medicine;
5.State that excessive exposure to ultra violet radiation may produce skin cancer.
At Credit Level
By the end of this section you should be able to:
6.Describe the advantage of computerized tomography.
Section 5: Nuclear Radiation – Humans and Medicine
At General Level
By the end of this section you should be able to:GOR
1.State that radiation can kill living cells or change the nature of living cells;
2.Describe one medical use of radiation based on the fact that radiation can
destroy cells (instrument sterilization, treatment of cancer);
3.Describe one medical use of radiation based on the fact that radiation is easy to detect;
4.State the range and adsorption of alpha, beta and gamma radiation;
5.State that radiation energy may be absorbed in the medium through which it passes;
6.Describe a simple model of the atom which includes protons, neutrons and electrons;
7.State that alpha rays produce much greater ionization density than beta or gamma rays;
8.State one example of the effect of radiation on non-living things (e.g., ionization,
fogging of photographic film, scintillations);
9.State that the activity of a radioactive source is measured in becquerels;
10.State that the activity of a radioactive source decreases with time;
11.Describe the safety precautions necessary when dealing with radioactive substances;
12.State that equivalent dose is measured in sieverts;
Credit Level
By the end of this section you should be able to:
13.Explain the term ionization;
14.Describe how one of the effects of radiation is used in a detector of radiation (e.g., GM tube, film badges, scintillation counters);
15.Describe a method of measuring the half-life of a radioactive element;
16.State the meaning of the term 'half-life';
17.Carry out calculations to find the half-life of a radioactive element from
appropriate data;
18.State that for living materials the biological effect of radiation depends on the
absorbing tissue and the nature of the radiation and that the equivalent dose
measured in sieverts takes account of the type and energy of radiation.
Rosshall Academy Physics Department1
Standard Grade Physics
Learning Outcomes